[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6668066,"mediaKeyId","2245579-259db6fbddcf11ae13124b830a26bd87","parentId",2245579,"title","Commission raises safety and messaging concerns after community listening sessions; questions validity and next steps for needs assessment","audioSeconds",2010,"startMs",3678000,"endMs",5688000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245579-259db6fbddcf11ae13124b830a26bd87&start=3678&end=5688","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245579-259db6fbddcf11ae13124b830a26bd87/thumbnail_3678000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6668066/Huber-Heights/Montgomery-County/Ohio/Commission-raises-safety-and-messaging-concerns-after-community-listening-sessions-questions-validity-and-next-steps-for-needs-assessment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668066-e509af44b5bbffafb3f9278545dff257/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093523&Signature=NmfFMwuoRpcXgQWVRgaixi4WoZPksUuBOVQtg~aVf7LqkBP3rm1GZdcfcnU5FiQ3rPlYemXaXFHpQmv5dberluEXPfzl9jhVgqymMKkzNoHa68vDIf-rWVQFYriTq1Mg1Gl84eWCt90d96XMv7ZbheokazA63iR8Ro7Kq1YRsMQ2bSXNRoFlM8Kbn63AZxt9l7KUxjokdtIxZjgl--2sfHazbglx~zXsEgctCNsiYb1P3Tg7oZkIIvQy4n0y7YoqlkScAzvOvaWKURDCpJxmBsBBQhbwqXx572IVWVAyP0F4-ckDU-7cCPvnrt9-JFIw7xxPxpMJEaCyzWG~7pm3-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Huber Heights","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","At the Feb. 6 meeting, Huber Heights’ Culture and Diversity Citizens Action Commission discussed fallout from two recent community listening sessions, questioned the representativeness of a consultant’s needs assessment and asked city staff for clearer ownership of marketing and follow‑through on recommendations.

Commission communications and safety incident

Commissioner Christie said the commission no longer has access to a Facebook page used to advertise community meetings and that one post escalated into a large, hostile thread that prompted threats. “Part of Christie's role as communication coordinator has been to be that voice on behalf of our commission. But people can't play nice in the sandbox,” Christie said. She added she had asked the police chief to place an officer at a listening session because comments online created safety concerns.

City role and marketing

Commissioners said they want clearer city responsibility for event marketing and social media. Several members reported that flyers and posts labeled events as City of Huber Heights programs while the commission’s name did not appear on some materials, generating confusion over who sponsored the sessions. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate distribution and branding so the public understands the city’s role and to reduce risk to volunteer communicators.

Assessment results, representativeness and the symposium

Staff and planners described a consultant, Rhema, producing a needs assessment. Staff said the assessment draft will be available in early March and that Rhema intends to present findings at a public symposium in late March or early April. Commissioners asked for clarity on how the city will act on assessment recommendations and who will be accountable for implementation.

Several commissioners questioned the assessment’s data. One commissioner noted the online survey returned roughly 438 responses but said respondents skewed older and white and that the listening sessions themselves drew relatively small in‑person attendance (she cited approximately 7–9 attendees at the first session and roughly 25 at the second). “I do not believe in the validity of the results of this assessment because I do not think that we did our due diligence in terms of marketing… the survey that it's supposed to be about is completely exclusive,” a commissioner said.

Why it matters: Commissioners argued the assessment must reflect a broad cross‑section of residents for resulting recommendations to carry weight, and they sought an implementation timeline with measurable follow‑up steps.

Next steps and recommendations

Commissioners urged the city to take primary responsibility for messaging and event promotion, and several members recommended that the commission remain engaged through the assessment’s next steps rather than simply making recommendations and stepping back. Staff said they will pass feedback to leadership, try to secure symposium dates, and encourage council and city managers to be part of the public presentation. Commissioners asked for metrics on outreach demographics, translation availability for surveys and a plan for accountability once the assessment is released.

Speakers relevant to this article: Christie (Commissioner, communications coordinator); Jeffrey (city staff); Rhema (consultant referenced); Police chief (city staff, referenced); Doctor Eakins (attended listening sessions); unnamed commissioners who raised survey‑validity concerns.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Huber Heights - Culture and Diversity Citizen Action Commission - Feb 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners said loss of commission social media access and a Facebook post prompted threats at a community listening session; they discussed a consultant’s needs assessment, survey representativeness and a planned public symposium to present recommendations.","taxTitle","Huber Heights, Montgomery County, Ohio","taxId",55050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668070,"Commission details Juneteenth planning: vendors, bookmobile contingency and focus on Black‑owned businesses",552,1900000,2452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245579-259db6fbddcf11ae13124b830a26bd87&start=1900&end=2452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245579-259db6fbddcf11ae13124b830a26bd87/thumbnail_1900000.jpg","/articles/6668070/Huber-Heights/Montgomery-County/Ohio/Commission-details-Juneteenth-planning-vendors-bookmobile-contingency-and-focus-on-Blackowned-businesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668070-abd23300817a0e36c11fa48f2b0ea0b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093523&Signature=c686UD3zwXMR6I4tisegOjXe1GnWtpRLJGbci9X1XLyR6SKgNSRssWb9LCicfec-8nWlawhykfa4-EDYnQHVizuLDqlvo33dlmkgfYgxHwu8fWwW0DeJjqAwev5aWecLgcPOiw8qN05UA5lXFste6d-E78V5Cwy6denFYXkRD7-DmvVuskrLbQQ8yvCyUgKMu9aLAXa2wBuFg8yRW09asg1PAviDzcmF2vI03lncEbX4uGMEGiHrSQ-PGCAvJEloHWJHqtpJQF~FWCz5QGqdHUIFw2e1KzVMgx4XWOAPjbvBW47Zf~4Jm-4ehY3TRt01i3KBAp2bBFTzMsNn1taH6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Huber Heights’ Culture and Diversity Citizens Action Commission spent significant time at its Feb. 6 meeting on Juneteenth planning, covering vendor recruitment, children’s activities, health screenings, entertainment and sponsorships.

Commissioners said the event should prioritize Black‑owned businesses while remaining inclusive. “I would like to see us continue to elevate black businesses as part of the Juneteenth celebration,” Commissioner [name on record] said, citing the historical connection between Juneteenth and Black economic opportunity.

Programming and logistics

Planners discussed a kids’ zone, a bookmobile for children’s activities and alternatives if the bookmobile is unavailable. Staff told commissioners the new bookmobile is anticipated to arrive in the city between May and July; if it is not available on the event weekend, the commission may use library staff at a table or run story times with donated books.

Health and vendors

Commissioners are pursuing health‑and‑wellness partners for screenings (mammograms, cholesterol checks) and have historically worked with local health providers. They also discussed food and retail vendor priorities; several commissioners said they want to prioritize Black‑owned vendors for Juneteenth while keeping the event broadly welcoming to all attendees.

Budget and sponsorships

Commissioners said they will seek sponsorships. One commissioner reported outreach to CareSource for a $2,500–$3,000 sponsorship and said the commission had received smaller sponsorships in prior years. Entertainment decisions, including a headliner band, will depend on the final budget and city contracting rules; commissioners noted that, because most artist contracts are city contracts and are not rain‑or‑shine, travel commitments for out‑of‑town performers can be a complication.

Permits and alcohol sales

Members asked about how beer and similar sales are handled; staff explained that the city requires nonprofit or umbrella arrangements (for example, the Chamber) to sell alcohol at city events. “It would run through the Chamber,” a staff member said, explaining the permitting and sales arrangements.

What’s next

The commission will divide outreach tasks and aim to finalize vendor lists and sponsorships in the spring. Commissioners also discussed ordering volunteer and commission shirts to identify staff and volunteers at events.

Speakers relevant to this article: Jeffrey (city staff); Christie (Commissioner, communications); Corey (planning lead referenced); Ibrahim (volunteer coordinator); named community contacts including Kettering Health Network and CareSource referenced.","Commissioners outlined plans for a Juneteenth celebration—vendors, entertainment, kids’ activities and health screenings—and discussed priorities such as elevating Black‑owned businesses, bookmobile logistics and sponsorships.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668075,"Commission begins planning for Sept. 13 multicultural festival; city staff say partnership needed for logistics",96,1604000,1700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245579-259db6fbddcf11ae13124b830a26bd87&start=1604&end=1700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245579-259db6fbddcf11ae13124b830a26bd87/thumbnail_1604000.jpg","/articles/6668075/Huber-Heights/Montgomery-County/Ohio/Commission-begins-planning-for-Sept-13-multicultural-festival-city-staff-say-partnership-needed-for-logistics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668075-1782754291ef9a8bb045e7ad337d2ea2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093523&Signature=GWolqcL6e17yyJbrSxBIQWvuIHPo4BXh6fa3pF7a6Wl92YJ~4xSYhc3-5htU6h18ng3zASPTLV8TGpcpg8n7fcijtFiOlvejNsdK8QvdcAE6WiYiI~IcCKuvjh~SwTVdmC7xV3EVPqwYquO0D3ln7uxpHci35KinJSLyekjcrKpiaeRXyNyW0CptRXJ7PERlEREG2QEn0LI0L2528DPv6RX7DBvLj-Jh3GxJ9nEz8ixW0LB6ZtR8dsU-eCSBM1t35QjniYFkiOTudmdd8SWmHC9GbGdvQ9irsRjvraxKn0IeU72UJufhJbOqSEyC-66K~oI8qSOkun-xLaTA06QNoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Huber Heights’ Culture and Diversity Citizens Action Commission used its Feb. 6 meeting to kick off planning for a multicultural festival set for Sept. 13, emphasizing cultural education, vendor recruitment and coordination with city staff.

Commissioners said they want the festival to showcase cultural education through food, dress and artifacts and said they hope to centralize activities to create a more cohesive visitor experience. “I would love to see more education from the various cultures represented, be it by their food, by their dress, by their artifacts,” a commissioner leading the discussion said.

City support and staffing

City staff told commissioners the municipal organization is undergoing internal changes and may have limited staffing capacity for event logistics. Jeffrey, a city staffer who participated in the meeting, said the city can help with sound, lights and certain permits but that commissions should specify which supports they need early in the planning process. “You handle this part of the event, and we handle this part of the event,” he said, urging clear requests so the city can plan staffing and equipment allocation.

Why it matters: The festival aims to be a major, city‑wide event that highlights the city’s cultural diversity and could require coordination across multiple departments, vendors and community partners.

Program, outreach and partners

Commissioners encouraged broad community involvement and suggested drawing on local schools and cultural organizations for educational booths, performances and demonstrations. Byram, the commissioner who had planned to co‑lead the effort, was absent; commissioners asked members to support the lead when Byram returns.

Staff and commissioners mentioned existing partners who have previously supported community events, including the Chamber of Commerce and local libraries, and discussed contingencies—such as using a bookmobile or library table for children’s programming if larger mobile resources are unavailable.

What’s next

Planning team members will divide tasks and produce a draft timeline and budget over the next 60 days. Commissioners said they expect to finalize logistics and vendor outreach by spring so that April and May can focus on advertising and community partnerships.

Speakers relevant to this article: Jeffrey (city staff); Byram (commissioner, absent from the meeting); Christie (Commissioner, communications); Mason Sutton (Huber Heights Chamber contact); Sarah (city outreach).","Commissioners discussed Sept. 13 multicultural festival logistics, the role of city services, and the need for stronger city–commission coordination on equipment, AV and outreach.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668079,"Huber Heights commissioners debrief MLK Day, outline service-day plans as member announces departure",287,368000,655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245579-259db6fbddcf11ae13124b830a26bd87&start=368&end=655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245579-259db6fbddcf11ae13124b830a26bd87/thumbnail_368000.jpg","/articles/6668079/Huber-Heights/Montgomery-County/Ohio/Huber-Heights-commissioners-debrief-MLK-Day-outline-service-day-plans-as-member-announces-departure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668079-290860faac6dc39045b48d200a48841f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093523&Signature=S1bptiwOpbmVixS7Z8UTStzs4hQp6aQqIlqOiqqPVeIv10ine9cmAQg5b3eShxWqfNtZPZLfgDlN2ST0U04d48J~MI684Q2XKw0Fh6Lnqp4h7xhlXD5ZBjBcA1C9NYUEwf9mjsdFbRu2DXClG1RrcKCug8Lt304gzYQQQMXC5UhFG1ShXOuv0se~nBqWvakyfPOzdvu7YLQIukura5hFV7ZAmcPchDpqb9VGfIxYYB-T~zodMe4ZqSnX500GnpgCgaSbI-VdVMXmQeeisZkb1frKRRDJ4--ny3MgV1ZKNP8TDWzkodQ-cvIRU57VOlSmpk6zWhwt8~XD9IB8UtP3ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Huber Heights Culture and Diversity Citizens Action Commission on Feb. 6 reviewed its recent Martin Luther King Jr. Day program, praised volunteers and community partners and discussed making future observances more service‑oriented as a long‑serving commissioner announced she was stepping down.

Commissioners and several residents credited schools, local nonprofits and the Chamber of Commerce for helping the Jan. 20 program run smoothly. “I just wanted to come and personally say thank you then congratulate you all on doing an excellent job with the MLK celebration,” resident Eva Newby told the commission, identifying herself with University of Houston High School.

The commission’s members said youth involvement and the educational components were especially successful. “I am so glad that we pulled that idea off,” Commissioner Christie said, referring to student participation and the event format.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they want future observances to balance ceremony with community service. That could change planning, volunteer assignments and partnerships for the city’s flagship January program.

Discussion and next steps

Members proposed adding a formal service day tied to the MLK observance in 2026, with morning meet‑and‑greet programming followed by volunteer projects such as food‑bank sorting, clothing drives or service at a soup kitchen. Commissioners noted potential partner organizations by name, including the Master’s Closet and House of Bread, which were mentioned as possible service partners.

A departing commissioner—identified at the meeting as Tara—said Feb. 6 would be her final meeting, citing increased work travel. “Unfortunately, this is my last meeting,” Tara told the commission. She urged members to continue the work and to consider expanding the commission’s role beyond festivals to help “the most marginalized groups” in the city.

Logistics and materials

Members raised several operational items to address before next year: posters used at the school were not laminated correctly and could not be reused; tables and floors at the school required better cleaning; and commissioners proposed more evenly distributed responsibilities so events do not rely on a small task group. Commissioners agreed to evaluate roles such as volunteer coordinator and communications coordinator ahead of future events.

Community recognition and archival materials

Speakers asked the commission to consider naming an MLK Day dinner after long‑time organizers Marvin and Lucille Dale and to capture video of future programs so former organizers and out‑of‑town residents can view them. Commissioners also thanked specific individuals who helped with the most recent program, naming teachers and local Chamber contacts who assisted in recruiting students and producing audio‑visual materials.

What’s next

Commissioners said they will discuss task assignments and a timeline for MLK Day 2026 at upcoming meetings. The departing commissioner offered limited continuing support by phone and email while reducing daytime availability.

Speakers relevant to this article: Eva Newby (resident, University of Houston High School); Portia Lay Lespair (resident); Christie (Commissioner, communications coordinator); Tara (Commissioner, departing); Mason Sutton (Chamber contact)","At the Feb. 6 Culture and Diversity Citizens Action Commission meeting, commissioners reviewed outcomes from the Jan. MLK Day program, thanked volunteers and community partners, discussed making future events more service‑oriented and named possible memorials; a long‑serving commissioner said the Feb. 6 meeting was her last.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission raises safety and messaging concerns after community listening sessions; questions validity and next steps for needs assessment

Commission details Juneteenth planning: vendors, bookmobile contingency and focus on Black‑owned businesses

Commission begins planning for Sept. 13 multicultural festival; city staff say partnership needed for logistics

Huber Heights commissioners debrief MLK Day, outline service-day plans as member announces departure